Explosive-engine.



RETREAT. EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APRJE. 1907.

938,401 Patented 0ct.26,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

F. H. TREAT.

EXPLOSIVE ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED APB.15,1907.

938,401. I Patented 0ct.26, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/) lzlllllllllll 7///ll l WITNESSES INVENTOR QM? &, I

FRANCIS H. TREAT, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

EXPLOSIVE-ENGINE.

Application filed April 15, 1907. Serial No. 385,15?

Specification of Letters Patent.

1 a tented Oct. 26, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fnxxeis ll. TREAT, of Cleveland, (luyahoga county, ()hio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Explosive-llngines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying-d 'a\vings, forming part of this speciticatiolu lti'i which I Figure l is-a horizontal section showing one emlmdiment. oi my invention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line H-II of Fig. l with the'main valves removed and the auxiliary and exhaust valves slightly out. of their true positions; Fig. 3 is a section on the line IlIllI of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a section on the line IVIV of Fig. 1.

My invention has relation to explosive engines ot the tour-cycle type, and more par ticularly to improvements in the valve apparatus of that characten fi engine for con' trolling the admission and the retention of the explosivemixture of gas and air; and the explosive gases in the cylinderyand also the escape of the exhaust gases therefrom.

It also relates to the meanstor forming said explosive mixture, and for regulating the supply of gas and air to govern the engine.

My invention is especially applicable to that class of four-cycle engines in which the explosive mixture enters the cylinder and the exhaust gases leave the cylinder through a single *aIve-controlled passage, in which the valve is in its closed position during the compression and the explosion strokes, and

acts to retain the gases in the cylinder during those strokes, and also to resist the heavy pressures developed in the cylinder. 'lht valve remains in its open position during the suction and the exhaust strokes, and does not interfere with the flowing in of the ex plosive-mixture, or the out-flowing of the exhaust gases during that portion of the cycle. Auxiliary valves are employed at the termination of said common passage, out

side the cylinder walls, and working under; very l ght pressures, to open communication with the mixing passages, and with the exhaustdiseharge passage, and to close the same at the proper time.

My in ention has for its objects, the furnishing oi devices for the valves, valve apparatus, and operating mechanisms, ot a. simple and durable constructimi, in which only rotary and crank motions will be em- I, ployed, and in which the use ofthe puppet valves and springs generally employed, will be avoided, also to furnish means for regulatiug the llow of gas and air into the n1ixing passages, (the same being induced by the suction of the engine piston) whereby the [low of the gas will be momentarily interrupted near-the end of each suction stroke of the piston, the air being permitted to'flow without interruption, so that at the time of the closing of the'inlet' valve, the passage between it and the cylinder closing valve will be titled only with air, thus etfecting an economy in gas, and avoiding a disagreeable noise in the exhaust escape pipe, which might be caused by the ignition and burning of any explosive mixture that might be left remaining therein by the flowing through of the hot exhaust gases from the cylinder.

"With these several objects in view, and to form the combined inlet andexhaust passage trolling valve, 1 provide anauxiliary cylinder with a piston, pitman and crank equipment, similar in their general features, to the main cylinder. This auxiliary cylinder, I provide with a port opening through its side walls, in position to be covered and uncovered by the piston at about mid-stroke when it is traveling at its maximum rate of speed. This auxiliary cylinder, at its working end, forms a connection with the main cylinder, so that the explosion chamber will. be common to both cylinders. Thcpiston valve actuating shaft is caused. to revolve at half the speed of the main crankeshaft of the engine, whereby said auxiliary piston makes one forward and back movement, ineach cycle of the engines operation, resulting in'said port being closed. during two strokes of the main piston and open during two strokes thereof, in each of said four-stroke cycles.

I have shownmy invention in connection with two cylinders which may constitute a complete engine, or to which other cylinders may be added, it being understood that; the invention may be used in an engine having one cylinder, or more than two cylinders.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numerals 2 and 3, designate the two Ina-in cylinders, and 4t and tons. The inner shell of these cylinders is contracted at the explosion end, in an/ap 1iroximately-semi-globular s 'pc to form the lvad or breech ti inclosing the explosion chamber. T this is connected the auxiliary to the cylinder, and a chamber for the eon- 5 their respective pis cylinder 7 which I prefer to connect as manufacture, their axes coinciding, though they may be connected at any desired angle or arranged in the same direction with their .joints frame being shown axes paralleled. In order to avoid packed ditlicult to maintain in these parts, which are subjected to very and high temperatures, I prefer to'make the auxiliary cylinder in one piece, as shown, with the main cylinder.

The outer shell. or jacket 8 the main frame of the engine by a flanged joint and bolts 15, a portion; of said niain in section at 9.. ".lhe main frame or bed plate has formed therein, for the reception of each cylinder, a circular opening or passage with raised portions 10 and 12 surrounding each end thereof, and which are machined. to lit corresponding bearing-surfaces 11 and 13 formed on'the outside of the cylinder. These constitute a support and method of attachment which possess great rigidity. The flange portion of the bearing 11 surrounding the open end is connected to of the cylinder constitutes a shoulder to receive the reactive longitudinal thrust i said cylinder from the effectof the expi nus against the cylinder head. The cylinders being entered in said openings of the bed plate through the crank end thereof, no ad ditional means of attachment is required to resist the working stresses to which these parts are subjected. The stud bolts shown, connecting the part ll to the bed plate, are only required to hold the cylinders securely in place and to compress the packing ring 1 of soft material'which is interposed between the opposing shoulders shown as formed in the bearing surfaces-12 and 13 of the bed late and cylinder. This forms a watertight 0int to resist the leakage of water from the cooling jacket into the openings in the bed late surrounding the cylinder.

The auxiliary cylinders 7 are surrounded a diskdike flange 16 inclosing a narrow space which forms a continuation .of the water-jacket for cooling the head and the auxiliary cylinder, and its opposite surface is made fiat and forms the support for the valve apparatus and medium for its attachment to the end of the cylinder. The flange at the outer end of said collar is for the purpose of giving a broad outer face which' has a bearing in. a circular opening formed in the outer end of the outer shell 8 of the water jacket, and forms a telescopic connection therewith. This furnishes a support for the outer end of the cylinder, and at the same time permits a longitudinal. movement to take place between these two members to accommodate whatever changes may be pro: duced in their relative length through variations in their relative temperatures, a packhigh pressures crank on the upper quarter,

eaaao ing ring S ot soft material bhing used in said telescopic joint, and being retained by the follower ring Stand bolts shown, so that leakage of water is prevented.

The port 19 in the auxiliary cylinder surrounds lhc cylinder, and is crossed by four bridges to form a cross connection and to retain the packing rings of the piston. The rectangular chamber 20 with which these port openings communicate forms the connection with the auxiliary inlet and exhaust valves, and constitutes the outer terminus of the combined inlet and exhaust passage to the main cylinder, its dimensions being such as will give a proper area of passage.

Numerals 2i and 22 indicate respectively, thepitin an, and crank of the auxiliary cylinder, being the halt speed shaft carrying said crank, a separate section being employed for each cylinder, and coupled togetherthey operate as oneshaft with the cranks set at an angle of ninety degrees to each other, said shaft being driven from the main shaft by any suitable connection (not sliown) which will give the required relative speeds.

Of the two main cylinders shown, the pis tons 4 and 5 are shown at opposite extremes of their movement, being coupled to cranks set opposite to each other, piston 4 standing as at the time of explosion, with the working face of the auxiliary piston in line with the inner face of the cylinder head, and its crank at dead center forward. The piston 5 stands at the beginning of the compression stroke with the crank of its auxiliary piston at the lower quarter, the auxiliary piston standing :1 little short of mid-stroke, due to the angu lar p'osition of the pitman. As will be seen, the port is slightly open, for this reason thereby furnishing sutficient lag to give the late closing of the valve desired. With one revolution of the main shaft the piston 5 will again stand in the same position, but it will be at the beginning of the exhaust stroke. The auxiliary piston will then be in the same position as shown, but will be moving in the opposite direction with its and the opening of the valve as shown, representing a lead which gives the early opening of the exhaust required.

The mixture of gas and air is effected and controlled in the following manner: The gas enters at port 24, (see Fig. 3), which is controlled by a regulating or throttle valve 25, the same being raised or lowered, as it is desired to increase or diminish'the flow of gas through any desired agency,"automatic or otherwise which may upper end of the valve stem 26. From said port and valve, it flows through passage 27 to a rotary valve 28 having a series of orts through which its admission within the cdy of the valve is controlled, said valve turning be connected to the seesaw.

.5 casing and projecting into the mixing pasis indicated by the described above.

' meeting at each end with sages 33, which are provided with perforations for the esca e of the gas. The valve 28 is made adjustab e on its shaft to bring-its ports into ditt'erent angular positions. This set-screw 28 in Fig. through the port 3t, its fiow or controlled by the throt- Air is admitted belng regulated i tling valve 35, which is similar in its operatron to its companion valve tor the gas Thence the air flows into passages 33 where it meets and mingles with the gas flowing from nozzles The valve is arranged on the central portion of a rotary shaft 23"., cona hollow cylindrioal valve 35 which contains the passages 33 before referred to, said passages terminating in the ports 36 which are arranged to coinmunicate with the chambers 20 which Form 2-5, the outer terminus of the combined inlet and 35 speed shaft 23.

. which is rotated exhaust passage before referred to. The valves 35 with the shaft are driven at the 1 same speed as the crank shaft. 23 from said shaft through the gear wheels 37 and 33.

Each connecting chamber 20 opens at the oppositeside to a rotary exhaustvalve 39 at the same speed as the valves 35 by means of the gears 4-0 which mesh with the gear whee 37 on the halt- The exhaust passages 39 ot' the valves 39 are arranged to comnumicate with a common exhaustpassage 41. (See 2.) It Will also be observed in conneetion With Fig. 2, that ot the rotary valves 40 35 and 39, those on the right hand side stand 180 degrees apart from those on the lc'l't.

, They are shownin this relationship for the correct, they should stand with igniter removed by the inspiration from the source of supplyli ozzles 32,

in through port 34. ,left or to the right,

. cylinder '3. A suction stroke ot'one purpose of illustrating their open and closed posltlons in one View, although to be strictly U0 degrees apart to agree with the relative positions of the -two cranks 22 shown in Fig. 1.

An igniter 43 is shown in position in each cylinder, and on opening for a second one is also shown upon the opposite side of the auxiliary cylinder. Waterv jackets are provided fill the exhaust valves, as indicated by 42.

uring a suction stroke, the gas is drawn through port 24, passage 27, interrupting valve '28, and through the perforations of into the mixing passages 33, where it meets and mixes with the air drawn These pass either to the depending upon whether the Inspiration is from the cylinder 2 or the cylinder 1s 1mmediately followed by the other, and as the duration of each is equal to a quarter the perforations of.

.the common inlet.

.In the employment of rotary and are arranged ports 31 of each suction stroke, and v stroke, so that the passages from the valves 35 into the cylinders will be. tilled with air only at the time of the closingot' the ports 19 of the auxiliary cylinder 7 by the pistons 18, as before described.

As before explained, the pistons in the auxiliary cylinders c'li'ect the opening of the exhaust from the cylinders and close/the inlet communication therethrough remaining open during the exhausting and the suction strokes. The precise function, therefore, of the rotary closing of the exhaust discharge, andthe openiug oi the inlet supply passages, at the right. moment. during the time the valve of and exhaust passage into the cylinder is open. thus act in concert with the main valves. As these auxiliary valves have only to deal with very light,v pressures, and for a part of the time with a slightvacuum, they may be fitted to run quite freely in theirrasings without fear of trouble from leakage, and they will be subject to butv slight wear in use. crank motions exclusively in the valves l. amcnablcd to operate them with safety at. very high speeds. By the use of a single acting piston to act as a valve for closing the cylinder and to resist the heavy pressures generated therein, a high degree of durability is assured, together with an ability to remain age of cylinder gases.

1' am aware that it is common infoun. cycle. engines to arrange an exhaustport ina main cylinder to be opened and closed by the piston near the end also aware that. it is common in two-cycle engines to use such an arrangement to control an inlet, well asan exhaustport, But I am not aware that an auxiliary cylinder with a piston opcratedat halt speed, to oti'ect the opening' and the closing of a port to a cylinder ofa tour-cycle engine has ever before been known or used.

The novel features of cylinder construction herein shown and described form the subject of a divisional a] lication, Serial No. 381.674, til ed July 1, 1907.

\Vhat I claim is:-'

l. in a gas engine of the tourcycle type, a. cylinder, a port. leading into the explosion chamber of the cylinder, an auxiliary cylinder forming a continuation of said port, and

valves 35) and 35'is to effect the V The auxiliary valves operation 01' the tight, as against the leakof it; stroke. I am i l a cylinder uncover a lateral port, and a piston valve in said cylinder, said valve controlling said lateral port and also eifecting the closure of the cylinder explosion chamber. presenting its inner end to the explosion chamber to receive the force of the explosion, a half speed shaft, and actuating connections between said shaft and the piston, said valve and connections being arranged to effect the closing of the lateral port at about the mid stroke of the valve; substantially as described.

2. In a gas engine of the four-cycle type, having an inlet port leading into the explosion chamber of the cylinder, an auxiliary cylinder forming a continuation of the port,and itself having .a lateral port, a reciprocating single-actin piston valve working in the auxiliary cylinder and controlling said ports, said valve presenting its inner end to the explosion chamber to receive the force of the explosion, a half-speed shaft, a crank in said shaft, and a pitman connecting the crank with the valve, said crank and pitman being arranged to cause the valve to close said ports at about its niid-stroke and at the beginning of the compression stroke of the main cylinder piston; substantially as described. i

3. Ina gas engine of the fourcycle type, a cylinder itself having having an 1 its explosion chamber, an auxiliary cylinder forming a continuation of the port, and itself having a lateral port, a piston valve in said cylinder arranged to close said ports at about its'mid-stroke, said valve presenting its inner end to the explosion chamber to receive the force of the explosion, and actuating means for said valve whereby it makes half the number of strokes as the main engine piston; substantially as described.

In a gas engine of the four-cycle type, a cylinder having a combined inlet and outlet port, an auxiliary cylinder communicating with the said port, and having a opening, and a piston arranged to cover and the said opening at about the midpoint of its stroke, together with means for actuating said piston whereby it has a greater speed throughout the mid portion'of its stroke than at other points of its movement; isubstantially as described.

5. In a gas engine of the four cycle type, a cylinder having a combined inlet and exhaust passage, an auxiliary cylinder form- 'ing a continuation of said passage, and having a lateral inlet and exhaust port, a piston valve in said cylinder arranged to close said port at its mid-stroke, said valve presenting its inner end to the explosion chamber to receive the force of the explosion, a half-speed shaft having an actuating connection with the valve, and a supplemental inlet valve; substantially as described.

6. In a gas engine of the r'our cycle type,

i a cylinder, having a cylinder having a combined haust passage,

and exhaust valves;

let port leading into lateral nection with .to receive the force combined inlet and exan auxiliary cylinder forming a continuation of saidv passage, and havin a lateral inlet and exhaust port, a piston va ve in said cylinder arranged to close said port at its mid-stroke, said valve presenting haust passage,

its inner end to the explosion chaml'ier to re explosion, a halt-speed ceive the force of the shaft having an actuating connection with the valve, and a supplemental exhaust valve; substantially as described.

7. In a gas engine of the tour-cycle type,

inlet and exa piston. valve controlling said passage, a half speed shat't vt'or actuating said valve,

substantially as described.

8. in a gas engine oi the four-cycle type, a. cylinder having a combined inlet and ex-. haust passage. a piston valve controlling said passag meausit'or actuating said valve whereby it makes half the number of rokes of the 'anam engine piston, an auxiliary rotary inlet valve, and a interrupting valve't'or admitting gas to the auxiliary valve; substantially as described.

9. In an explosive engine of the four-cycle type, a mixing chamber, a port leading therefrom to'the cylinder. a reciprocating main valve controlling said port, auxiliary rotary admission of the valves controlling the a rotary exhaust charge to said chamber, valve controlling the escape of said cha1nber,'and a shaft and connections .for operating all said valves in proper time relations; substantially as described.

10. In a gas engine of the four cycle type, a cylinder having a combined inlet and exhaust passage, an auxiliary cylinder forming a continuation of said passage and ha\ ing a lateral inlet and exhaust port, the piston valve in said cylinder presenting it; end to the explosion chamber ofthe said cylinder to receive the force of the explosion, a half speed shat't having an actuating conthe valve, and an auxiliary inlet valve, substantially as described.

11. In a gas engine of the tour cycle type, a cylinder haying a combined inlet and exhaust passage, an auxiliary cylinder forming a continuation. of said passage and having a lateral inlet and exhaust port, the piston valve in said cylinder presenting its end to the explosion chainber'of the said cylinder of the explosion, at half speed shaft having an actuating connection with the valve, and auxiliary inlet and exhaust valves, substantially as described.

12.In a gas engine, a cylinder, an auxiliary cylinder connected thereto and having a chamber opening into and common to the explosion chamber 1 of the cylinder, a combined inlet. and exhaust opening leading into the auxiliary cylinder, and a piston and auxiliary rotary inletexhaust from in said cylinder arranged to control the said opening; substantially as described.

13. In a gas engine, a cylinder having a neck portion formed with a. port leading thereir, and an auxiliary cylinder forming a continuation of said port and having lateral openings, said auxiliary cylinder forming a chamber for the main valve and a main piston valve in said cylinder arranged to etl'ect the closing of the explosion chan'iber during the compressioi'l stroke of the main piston and to present its end to the said chamber; substantially as described.

14. In an explosive. engine, a rotary gas controlling valve consisting of a hollow body having admission ports, means for periodically closing said ports as the valve is rotated, said valve having escape openings through its wall, a mixing chamber or passage into which the gas is discharged through said escape openings, means for admitting the air to the mixing chamber or passage, and means for constantly rotating said valve to alternately open and close its admission ports; substantially as described.

15. In an explosive engine, a rotary shaft, :1. gas controlling valve carried thereby, means for periodically admitting gas to the interior of said valve, an auxiliary valve mounted on the same shaft with the first named valve, and having a port communieating with the interior of the gas valve, means for supplying air to the said port exteriorly of the gas valve, and a main valve for controlling the supply of mixed air and gas to the engine cylinder; substantially as described.

16. In an explosive engine, a gas interrupting valve com rising a hollow rotatin body, means for admitting gas thereto, sai valve having escape openings or passages leading outwardly from the same, and' an air supply passage surrounding said valve and into which the valve discharges, together with means for admitting air to said passage, and means for constantly rotating said valve; substantially as described.

17. In an explosive engine, a cylinder having a neck extension at its explosion end forming an auxiliary cylinder, a combined inlet and outlet passage leading through the piston valve in walls of said cylinder, and a said cylinder arranged to control said port,

said valve presenting its end to the explosion chamber of the cylinder to receive the force of the explosion and to effect the closing of the explosion chamber; substantially as described.

18. In an explosion engine of the fourcycle type, an auxiliary cylinder communicating with the explosion chamber of the main cylinder by a single opening and having a lateral inlet and outletport, a piston valve arranged to reciprocate the auxiliary cylinder, a half-speed shaft having a crank, and a pitman connecting the crank and valve, said valve and its actuatingcrank and piston being set to cause the valve to close said port at its mid-stroke and at the beginning of the compression stroke of the main piston, and to thereafter advance ,to assist in the compression and to receive the force of the explosion against its inner end and transmit it to the crank; substantially as described.

19. In an explosion engine, a gas interrupting valve, body having a plurality of admission ports, means whereby said ports are alternately opened and closed as the valve is rotated, said valve having escape openings or passages leading outwardly from the same, an air chamber surroundingsaid valve and into which the said escape openings or passages discharge, means for supplying air to the air chamber, means for effecting an angular adjustment of the valve to vary the time of its interrupting action, and means for concomprising a hollow rotating stantly rotating said valve; substantially as described.

20. In a gas engine of the four-cycle type, a cylinder having an exhaust port leading into its explosion hamber, an auxiliary cylinder forming a continuation of the port, and itself having a lateral port, a piston valve in said cylinder arranged to close said ports at about its mid-stroke, and actuating means for said valve whereby it makes half the number of strokes as the main engine piston; substantially as-described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANCIS H. TREAT.

Witnesses:

R. J. WARDNER,

LIRRIE MAAWELL. 

